Korea Next by Unicorn Bridge: Seoul to Singapore
Seven of Korea’s next unicorns. One bridge to Southeast Asia.
Korea Next brings seven Korean technology scale-ups from the national Unicorn Bridge programme from Seoul to Singapore for one afternoon of pitches and focused networking. They span semiconductor materials, biotech, AI, legal tech, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Each has raised at least KRW 10 billion (approx. USD 7M), and three have raised KRW 50 billion (approx. USD 35M) or more.
Every company arrives with a clear agenda, whether investment, co-development, distribution or new customers, and each one lists below exactly what it is looking for.
Part of the 2026 Unicorn Bridge Global IR Programme, hosted by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC) and operated by PEN Ventures.
[What is Unicorn Bridge?]
Launched in 2026 by Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Unicorn Bridge is a national programme to grow Korea’s most promising technology scale-ups into global unicorns, with a goal of 50 by 2030.
Only 50 companies were selected for the first cohort after a rigorous review of technology and growth potential. On average, they have raised KRW 38.4 billion (approx. USD 27M) in private investment and are valued at around KRW 180 billion (approx. USD 130M).
Over two years, selected companies receive up to KRW 1.6 billion in government funding and up to KRW 20 billion in special guarantees from KOTEC, along with support for global fundraising, public procurement and overseas expansion. Korea Next is part of the programme’s Global IR series, which brings these companies directly to international investors and partners.
[Programme]
Pre-Networking & Welcome Coffee
Opening Remarks
Company Pitches
Networking & 1:1 Meetings
Closing
Want to meet a specific company? Select it when you register, and we will do our best to arrange a dedicated conversation.
[The Seven]
01 · aweXome Ray | Semiconductor Materials
Carbon nanotube materials made by direct spinning, led by a CNT membrane for EUV pellicles now at TRL 8 and in customer qualification.
Looking for: long-term investors and semiconductor CVCs; co-development partners across EUV pellicles, photomasks, fabs and equipment; manufacturers in thermal management and EMI shielding.
02 · INNOTIONTECH | Plasma Coating
Plasma surface-treatment systems, coating materials and customised coating services for battery, semiconductor and precision-component manufacturers.
Looking for: investors in batteries, semiconductors and advanced materials; equipment makers; manufacturers seeking longer part life and better processes in Singapore and ASEAN.
03 · Biorchestra | RNA Therapeutics
RNA therapeutics and the BDDS platform for delivering nucleic acids to targeted brain cells. Lead candidate BMD-002 is a preclinical-stage epilepsy therapy.
Looking for: biotech VCs, CVCs and strategic investors; pharma BD and R&D teams for co-development and licensing in CNS and kidney diseases.
04 · Colosseum | AI Logistics & Fulfilment
AI supply chain software (Colo AI) combined with fulfilment, warehouse robotics integration (Vault) and IP commerce (Arena).
Looking for: Series C investors in logistics, retail and robotics; 3PL and cross-border partners; warehouse automation companies for PoCs; e-commerce, beauty and food brands.
05 · Framto | Battery & Mobility Materials
Ultra-thin functional metal materials, including current collectors for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, now preparing for mass production.
Looking for: global funds for its current round; automotive OEMs and battery makers; strategic investors and industry support agencies.
06 · Liner | AI Agents & LLM Infrastructure
AI agents plus Liner Router API, which picks the best LLM for each request and, per company data, can cut LLM API costs by over 50%.
Looking for: growth-stage global investors; companies building on LLM APIs; high-traffic services and distribution partners.
07 · Law&Company | Legal AI
The team behind Lawtalk, SuperLawyer and Lexpand AI, now taking Lexpand AI into Southeast Asia.
Looking for: Southeast Asian legal data providers; content licensing partners; local customers and PoC partners.
[Who Should Attend]
VC, growth and PE investors · CVCs and corporate innovation teams · strategic partners and prospective customers · international expansion professionals
[Organisers]
KOTEC (Korea Technology Finance Corporation) is a Korean government-affiliated institution under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, supporting technology businesses through credit guarantees, technology appraisal and investment. It hosts the Unicorn Bridge Global IR Programme.
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PEN Ventures is a global accelerator and investment firm connecting startups with investors, corporations and public institutions across major innovation hubs.
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Inquiries:
PEN Ventures
contact@pen.ventures